Today's Devotion Text Lev 8:31-36
Context: God has provided very specific directions for the presentation of offerings. His directions for the ordination of Aaron and his sons are being followed.
Text:
31 Moses then said to Aaron and his sons, "Cook the meat at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and eat it there with the bread from the basket of ordination offerings, as I commanded, saying, 'Aaron and his sons are to eat it.' 32 Then burn up the rest of the meat and the bread. 33 Do not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are completed, for your ordination will last seven days. 34 What has been done today was commanded by the LORD to make atonement for you. 35 You must stay at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and do what the LORD requires, so you will not die; for that is what I have been commanded." 36 So Aaron and his sons did everything the LORD commanded through Moses. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Can you believe all the work that God has asked Aaron and his four sons to do? They are responsible for slaughtering all the animals, cooking the flour offerings, and keeping the fire burning 24/7. The have to do it in fancy garments which are to be kept clean despite all the killing and blood splattering that they are to do. Now they are told to spend an entire week at the entrance to a tent...not in the tent sheltered from the sun and the wind, but at the entrance. They are not to leave...I hope they were aware of this before they showed up for the ordination that morning!
It doesn't sound like there is much privacy...and I'm sure there aren't any comfortable chairs or beds. And, it might be a little indelicate to mention this, but I'm assuming there isn't an outhouse nearby....
In today's world of multitasking and over-scheduling, I can't even imagine sitting in one place (without a phone, computer, television, or even a good book) for an entire week day and night. I wonder what they talked about -- the overwhelming challenges ahead of them, the miracles of their journey so far, childhood memories? Did they pray constantly? Did people come to visit?
There were many rules to follow exactly, and a lot of hard labor to do. Why did God ask these things of them? I'm not sure they thought being set apart was an honor.
Has God ever asked you to do something that seemed to be more than you could handle? Has he ever asked you to sit still for a period of time and focus on him and the job he's asked you to do?
What is God asking of you today?
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